Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has admitted the club are looking to sign Aston Villa’s Darren Bent and Loic Remy from QPR.

Both strikers have been strongly linked with the Magpies and Pardew has confirmed that the speculation is true.

“Both of those players are on our list. I make no bones about that,” the 51-year-old told the Northern Echo.

“We do need two strikers. Last year I didn’t think there was enough competition in that area for a Premier League team.

“You like things done sooner rather than later, but if I have to wait a bit longer then I have no problem with that.”

Newcastle struggled up-front following the departure of Demba Ba to Chelsea in January and Papiss Cisse has also been linked with a move away from St James’ Park.

The north east club have failed to sign any of their attacking targets so far in the transfer window, with St Etienne’ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang opting for Borussia Dortmund and Everton pipping the Toon to the signing of Arouna Kone.

Therefore it is important that Pardew tries and lands at least one of either Bent or Remy, but with both forwards unwanted by their clubs deals are highly likely.

It’s thought that the France international would be available to sign from Loftus Road for around £6m, whilst Bent hasn’t even been training with the Villa first team and could be acquired for as little as £5m.

Transfer negotiations at Newcastle are no longer down to Pardew since the club appointed former manager Joe Kinnear as director of football, in a controversial decision that has been unpopular with many fans.